Owning a Diesel in the city

[mrichards]

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in an Octavia Scout. I've not owned a diesel model before and have heard a variety of things from different quarters about owning/driving diesels in the city.

In particular, I am hearing doom and gloom about the diesel particulate filter and not driving the car enough for it to clean itself. I was also interested in the Forester Diesel and most of the nay-sayers were Subaru sales staff trying to steer me into a petrol model.

From real world experience, is there an issue with using a diesel as a daily driver where it may drive a 20-30 minute commute in the suburbs, other short drives to shops etc, and then stretch it's legs maybe once a week or a fortnight?

I like diesel as it gives much better economy. I am also not a fan of ethanol fuel and the fact that there is a phasing out of regular unleaded. OUr only othe option is premium which is mostly the same price as diesel.

Also, I have heard that european models are difficult and expensive to maintain in terms of service and cost of parts. Is there any truth to this and are Skodas generally reliable and easy to keep?

Thanks for having me on board. Look forward to thoughts.

Mal

[Inego]

I've owned a Scout for 18 months in the inner-west. My 15k/12mth service cost $365, although a replacement key was around $600 all up.

My car has the older PD engine (rather than the common rail engine used since the middle of last year, which apparently handles the DPF better) and, for most of its life, has done primarily 10-15 minute runs. The DPF clogged fully within the first 6 weeks (it was a demonstrator, so I assume short runs had been its life). Since then I've had to force a DPF regeneration 3 times (usually by driving from around Marrickville to the airport and back in 2nd and 3rd gear), and now I need to do that ASAP when the warning light comes on.

From my experience, a DPF equipped diesel needs a slightly more management than a petrol, but the driving pattern you've described (forthnightly run etc.) shouldn't cause any problems.

[Transporter]

We have now 2 cars with the DPF both driven short trips in the city and no problems here. I use BP diesel only. Touareg done over 60,000km now and Tiguan close to 10k km.

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[K1W1]

I do 15 km each way to and from work plus running around to about 500km per week all in the Melbourne metro area and I have never had a problem with the DPF. This is the third diesel and second CR diesel engined vehicle I have owned since 1998 with a total of over 350,000 km travelled with no DPF issues. As long as the vehicle is getting up to temp on most trips there won't be an issue.
Buy good fuel, BP or Caltex Vortex are the best if you buy cheap **** you WILL pay later on at the dealer.
As far as the Subaru is concerned, let's see their diesel history in Australa goes back, what 18 months? I guess that that would qualify them as something but it wouldn't be experts IMO.

[BlackSuperb]

I have to admit that I drive an average of 1:30 to 2:00 to commute to work via motorways and car parks (motorways in peak hour) for a 180km round trip to work and back. This is my first diesel and I have had no problems in 60,000km.

I only use Shell diesel, because that is the only fuel company my employer has a contract with and I have had no problems re quality. 6.55l/100km day in and day out and no DPF issues.

[brad]

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in an Octavia Scout. I've not owned a diesel model before and have heard a variety of things from different quarters about owning/driving diesels in the city.

My wife drives a diesel Mondeo. Only had it 7,000km but no probs so far. Economy appears to be about 9L/100 but it mainly gets driven Hurstville/Ryde in peak hour.

We had a Captiva diesel a few years back which had DPF & it was never a problem in the 40,000km we had it. Economy was about 11L/100km after they did the reflash of the auto (9L/100 beforehand).

In particular, I am hearing doom and gloom about the diesel particulate filter and not driving the car enough for it to clean itself. I was also interested in the Forester Diesel and most of the nay-sayers were Subaru sales staff trying to steer me into a petrol model.

The diesel Subaru is pretty popular. It's on the Gov't fleet list. Maybe they were trying to steer you to petrol because the demand is on the diesels.

From real world experience, is there an issue with using a diesel as a daily driver where it may drive a 20-30 minute commute in the suburbs, other short drives to shops etc, and then stretch it's legs maybe once a week or a fortnight?

See above. It wasn't/isn't an issue for us.

Dum question/observation. The Scout is the 103kw? Therefore no DPF?

I like diesel as it gives much better economy. I am also not a fan of ethanol fuel and the fact that there is a phasing out of regular unleaded. OUr only othe option is premium which is mostly the same price as diesel.

If you buy a Petrol Subaru (or Skoda/VW for that matter), you should run them on PULP anyway, despite what the label says. Subarus are "detuned" to run on 91ron for tightarse Aussie that wont pay for PULP. Most likely, the cost per km on PULP will be equal or less than that of ULP. Most modern vehicles will show improvements in several areas using 95/98ron.

Also, I have heard that european models are difficult and expensive to maintain in terms of service and cost of parts. Is there any truth to this and are Skodas generally reliable and easy to keep?

I've had my car 3 years/75,000km. It's cost me about $500 per year, which I think is pretty reasonable. No worse than my mate spends on his Yaris.

I had a fuel pump problem early in ownership, a couple of other issues that the dealer claimed were "normal" and in the last few months a turbo control valve ($140), horn (still to be fixed) & in the torrential rain last week, a watery headlight.

[brad]

We have now 2 cars with the DPF both driven short trips in the city and no problems here. I use BP diesel only. Touareg done over 60,000km now and Tiguan close to 10k km.

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You live in Adelaide. I've driven in Adelaide a fair bit. It's not like inner west / Eastern Suburbs Sydney (where I lived for 10 years).

[Transporter]

When?
About 5 years ago I stopped the high school runs to drop off and pick up my younger daughter and I could manage 25km to the city in the morning traffic in less than 45min. The same takes today more than 1.25hour. The traffic had changed - more intersections and much more road works everywhere.

[mrichards]

Thanks guys,

Great to hear from real experiences. The Subaru's are popular and I've heard that Sep/Oct is about the earliest delivery so perhaps they do want to move petrol stock. Given that a Scout wouldn't be available til Xmas then it's really not much difference.

[woofy]

Really no Scouts? Sounds like BS, they have stopped making new ones last month, but will start anyday again now summer break is nearly over. I'd be surprised if none were coming in every week at the moment that were built some time back.